Simon Grayson’s players fought right to the end for him at the Stadium of Light but ultimately they and he were just not good enough.

On the night the Black Cats pulled the trigger, they move up a place in the Championship table after coming from behind twice to claim a point, but still they were booed off at full-time. Those supporters still showing up at the Stadium of Light could not have the wool pulled over their eyes any longer.

A 3-3 draw against bottom-of-the-table Bolton Wanderers were notable as the first time the club’s supporters started chanting in earnest for the manager’s dismissal. The club had copped a deaf ‘un when they got restless with David Moyes, but not this time. Within 15 minutes of full-time, a spokesman read a written statement announcing Grayson’s uninspiring 18-match tenure was over.

For all the spirit Sunderland had shown, three bits of defending so negligent they bordered on the criminal denied Grayson the win he so badly needed.

Simon Grayson (Image: Newcastle Chronicle)

The first half followed a depressingly familiar pattern, Sunderland taking the early initiative without making it count, the visitors taking the lead and instead, then Lewis Grabban equalising on the stroke of half time. Once more, they failed to put on the second-half performance which would have made the most of it, even after he scored again to give them the lead.

Bolton Wanderers had the first chance of the match, and ought to have scored from it, Mark Beevers shooting wide when Gateshead-born Gary Madine chested Teessider David Wheater’s free-kick into his path.

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Sunderland were trying to keep possession to build a foothold in the match but when they passed the ball around defence and midfield without gaining any territory, it had the opposite effect, the sparsely-populated Stadium of Light booing its disapproval.

A couple of minutes later, the Black Cats had a penalty appeal turned down. Adam Matthews’ long throw-in had picked out a good run by Didier Ndong, and Aiden McGeady produced a sweeping crossfield pass to feed Callum McManaman, but the winger appeared to be moving too fast for his own legs, and overbalanced in the area. That at least was how the referee saw it.

McManaman was one of four changes to the side, which had a new goalkeeper. Robbin Ruiter had set a good early tone by refusing to be pinned onto his line at Bolton’s third-minute corner as Jason Steele had for the opening goals Queens Park Rangers and Bristol City had scored on Wearside. Lamine Kone was dropped for the second time this season, making way for Mark Wilson, and Grayson changed right-backs to Adam Matthews.

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Sunderland were getting on top but as usual they were not working the goalkeeper, former Sunderland man Ben Alnwick, had enough. McGeady’s right-footed shot after a one-two with Ndong deflected over and Wilson’s looping shot was comfortably held.

Shortly after the half-hour mark Ruiter was forced into a save by Gary Madine’s header at a corner and a minute later former Newcastle United forward Sammy Ameobi – inevitably booed from the off – was invited to try his luck from distance. He did, and picked his spot well.

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Then the frustration really started to pour down from the terraces. The fans who had been agitated when McManaman had twice turned back on the ball deep in his own half only to turn it over, had lost their patience.

As well as the usual renditions of “You’re not fit to wear the shirt,” there was also a chorus of “We want Grayson out!” - rarely heard this season despite Sunderland’s struggles, particularly on their own turf. When the away fans helpfully informed Grayson, “You’re getting sacked in the morning,” the home supporters joined in.

When simple passes from Ndong and Wilson went out of play, boos rang around the ground.

Lewis Grabban of Sunderland celebrates with team-mates after he scores Sunderland's second goal (Image: Sunderland AFC)

Grabban offered a chink of light, scoring in the last knockings of the first half for the third game running. As on Saturday, it was an equaliser, collecting Ndong’s well-measured pass, holding his man off and calmly finishing inside the far post.

The striker even added to it, putting Sunderland in front at the Stadium of Light for the first time since they last won here, on December 17.

James Vaughan was introduced as a half-time substitute for the injury-prone Jonny Williams and his first contribution of note was an overhead bicycle kick which went over the bar, but showed the intent the Black Cats needed to start the second period with.

Within a few minutes, they had a goal to show for their positivity, thanks to another pass from Ndong. The midfielder’s ball split the Trotters defence but Grabban threatened to get in Bryan Oviedo’s way as the pair ran onto it. Grabban had the presence of mind to peel square, allowing the Costa Rican to serve up a pass that was never going to be missed. The stadium roared its approval.

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Sunderland, though are experts at shooting themselves in the foot. Madine was in an offside position when he levelled the scores a couple of minutes later, but not flagged because the ball was headed to him by Wilson, under pressure from Wheater.

Then, in the 67th minute Ndong had a brainwave, trying to pass the ball back to Ruiter but only picking out Antonee Robinson. Karl Henry arrived unmarked onto the cross to find the net.

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Simon Grayson sacked

Vaughan, though, was not the only Grayson substitute to make a difference. Subdued against Bristol City as his return to fitness looked to catch up with him, Duncan Watmore’s willingness to run with the ball made him a very effective replacement for McManaman, and created Sunderland’s third goal for their final substitute.

Watmore’s dribbling had given the move impetus and his backheel found Paddy McNair – like him, on the way back from cruciate knee ligament damage, to rifle home from 30 yards and give the Stadium of Light some hope.

That, though, was as good as it got. Stability was the best argument for keeping Grayson but as Tuesday graphically showed, his defence was a pretty weak one.